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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday January 19, 2025

 
Djokovic

Novak Djokovic moved past Jiri Lehecka in three sets to set a must-watch quarterfinal with Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.

Photo Source: Getty

With a potential quarterfinal with Carlos Alcaraz looming at the 2025 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic knew it would be in his best interest to take care of business quickly against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the fourth round.

Tennis Express

The 10-time Australian Open champion did just that on Sunday night in Melbourne, easing past the talented 24th seed in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4).

“I felt great,” Djokovic said on court after the win, according to the ATP. “I think I handled the pressure moments well and played some great points towards the end.”




With his win Djokovic becomes the third man aged 37 years or older to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, joining Roger Federer and Aussie legend Ken Rosewell. He has now reached 15 quarterfinals in Melbourne, as he moves three victories from a record 11th title at his most successful Grand Slam.


Djokovic, who improved to 98-9 lifetime in Melbourne Park, found himself in a tight opening set as both players felt one another out for the first seven games. Lehecka, a quarterfinalist in Melbourne in 2023, held his end of the bargain until that point.

When the World No.29 stepped to the line to serve at 3-4 the match was relatively even, but a bevy of errors from his side of the court enabled an easy break from Djokovic, which he consolidated with a quick hold to take the set 6-3.

Lehecka, still seemingly shell-shocked from his inexplicable dip in form (Djokovic has that effect on players), was broken again to start the second set. Perhaps it was nerves. Maybe it was the flawless way that Djokovic went about his business. Djokovic served at a 72 percent clip in the opener, and rarely missed his mark from either wing.

Lehecka had a breakpoint in the second game of the second set – his first of the match, and a chance to gain a toehold in the contest – but it was erased by Djokovic routinely. The Czech got to deuce in his next return game, but again faltered.

A classic Djokovic point with the Serbian slashing across the diagonal of the court to retrieve a drop shot and then snare a put-away colley brought the crowd to its feet as Lehecka served at 2-4, 0-30. It was one of many memorable moments that brought the pro-Djokovic crowd to its feet inside Rod Laver Arena.

Some crafty, timely play by Lehecka got him out of trouble in that game, but Djokovic‘s elevated quality continued. He served his way out of the set and placed a two sets to love lead in his pocket by the 90-minute mark.

An early trade of breaks in the third left the pair level until Djokovic completed his mission in a third-set tiebreak. He closed the door on Lehecka in two hours and 39 minutes, sealing his record 381st Grand Slam victory (everything the Serbian does at the Grand Slams these days ends up rewriting history), and setting a quarterfinal for the ages with his ascendant rival from Spain.

Djokovic hit 27 winners against 21 unforced errors, won 16 of 18 points at the net and saved two of three break points. He earned three breaks of his own, from 11 opportunities, and won 18 more points than Lehecka (108 to 90) in the contest.

The conclusion of the match created the most drama of the evening, however.

Djokovic left the arena quickly after the win, forgoing the post-match interview. He later explained his reasoning at length in his post-match press conference: he was protesting disparaging comments made by a broadcaster named Tony Jones from Channel 9.


Djokovic owns a 4-3 lifetime edge over Alcaraz, including a 7-6(3), 7-6(2) victory in the Olympic gold medal match last year in Paris. The pair have met three times at the majors, with Alcaraz winning two finals at Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024, while Djokovic took their semifinal at Roland-Garros in 2023.



More: Alcaraz Advances in Australia, Defeating Draper

"I'm expecting a big battle," Djokovic said. "It's the case in most of our matches where we faced each other... Reminds me of my matchups versus Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court. He's very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly talented. Charismatic player. Great to watch; not that great to play against."

 

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